Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
OSBORNE NAMED NEBRASKA’S INTERIM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Tom Osborne is returning to Nebraska to temporarily run the Cornhuskers’ athletic department and possibly determine the fate of Bill Callahan.
University chancellor Harvey Perlman announced the return of the Huskers’ former coach yesterday in a news release. A news conference was scheduled for later in the day.
The 70-year-old Osborne’s return to the athletic department comes a day after athletic director Steve Pederson was fired.
It was 10 years ago that Osborne finished a celebrated coaching career that culminated with three national championships in four seasons.
Osborne met with Perlman yesterday morning to discuss the job, and Osborne agreed to serve until the chancellor hires a permanent athletic director.
FOOTBALL
EDWARDS: HOLMES MAY PLAY AGAINST OAKLAND
Running back Priest Holmes will practice today for the first time since a severe 2005 head and neck injury.
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards repeated Tuesday there’s a chance Holmes could play at Oakland.
The Chiefs traded backup running back Michael Bennett to Tampa Bay for draft picks on Tuesday, creating a spot behind starter Larry Johnson and adding to speculation they might activate Holmes in time for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
Holmes “will put the pads on. He will put the helmet on. Whether he participates in the (Oakland) game or not, we’ll see how practice goes,” Edwards said.
DOLPHINS TRADE CHAMBERS TO CHARGERS
The San Diego Chargers acquired Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins just before yesterday’s trade deadline, giving quarterback Philip Rivers a veteran wide receiver to work with.
In return, the winless Dolphins will receive a 2008 second-round draft pick.
The trade came as the Chargers put their No. 1 wide receiver, Eric Parker, on the injured reserved list with a broken right big toe. Parker has been out since June, and will miss the rest of the season.
BUCS ACQUIRE RB BENNETT FROM CHIEFS
Tampa Bay acquired running back Michael Bennett from the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday, hoping he helps them compensate for the loss of injured tailbacks Carnell “Cadillac” Williams and Michael Pittman.
Bennett, a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, has rushed for 3,426 yards and 12 touchdowns in seven NFL seasons. He also has 145 career receptions for 1,164 yards and five TDs. “We believe that the addition of Michael Bennett will strengthen our running back position,” Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said in a statement.
BASEBALL
STONEMAN RETIRES AS ANGELS GM, REPLACED BY TONY REAGINS
Bill Stoneman spent so much time building the Angels into a perennial contender that he knew when he didn’t have enough energy to stay on as the team’s general manager. Stoneman stepped down yesterday, saying he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Diane. He was replaced by player development director Tony Reagins. “She didn’t know when she married me that I would have a mistress,” Stoneman said, alluding to the demands of his baseball career. “Right now, I’m leaving my mistress.”
GOLF
WOODS TO HAVE HIS OWN DRINK IN FIRST LICENSING DEAL
Tiger Woods will have his own brand of sports drink next year under an endorsement deal announced yesterday with Gatorade that marks a couple of firsts for the world’s no. 1 golfer — his first American deal with a beverage company and his first licensing agreement.
Gatorade said it will introduce “Gatorade Tiger” in March, with more products to follow. Woods even picked out the flavors himself, with the drink available in a cherry blend, citrus blend, and grape. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Golfweek magazine reported last month it was for five years and could pay Woods as much as $100 million, moving him closer to the $1 billion mark in career endorsements.
LACROSSE
NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE CANCELS 2008 SEASON
The National Lacrosse League canceled its 2008 season after failing to reach a labor agreement with the union. The executive committee of the Professional Lacrosse Players’ Association rejected the last collective bargaining agreement proposal, the NLL said yesterday.
“The plan is to take the season off and try to get with the union and negotiate a deal that works for both parties and get back playing in ’09,” NLL commissioner Jim Jennings said.
The 14-team league, which averaged 10,283 fans last season, was scheduled to open December 27.
TENNIS
SERENA WILLIAMS RETIRES IN FIRST ROUND OF ZURICH OPEN
Serena Williams retired with a sore right thigh while trailing Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-0, 3-0 in the first round of the Zurich Open yesterday.
Trailing 3-0 in the first set, Williams had the tape on her right thigh removed. She won only nine points in the set, five on her serve. “I was hitting really well yesterday and moving well,” Williams said. “But before warmup I saw the trainer and said, ‘Something’s not right.'”
The sixth-seeded American was treated again between sets. Winning only one more point, she was broken twice before retiring.